In an effort to prevent holiday deaths, Wisconsin law enforcement agencies will begin their “Booze and Belts” program starting today (Dec. 9) and running through next Saturday.

Until the December 17th, law enforcement will strictly enforce the state’s mandatory safety belt law and will crack down on impaired motorists, according to a news release by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, in an effort to get them off the roads before they injure or kill anybody. The program involves having an increased police presence with officers instructed to look for people not wearing their seatbelts or driving as though they are under the influence.

The program is designed to reduce the number of holiday-related accidents on Wisconsin’s roads. Last December, according to the DOT release, there were more than 13,000 accidents. Those accidents led to 3,800 injuries and 37 deaths.

Last year, more than 40,000 people were convicted of drunk driving in Wisconsin and 120,000 people were cited for seatbelt violations

Today one observes, at times, with absolute horror the egotistical driving habits of other motorists as they follow too close behind you. Besides making driving a very unpleasant experience, following too closely is the easiest infraction to correct and is responsible for most deadly freeway pileups. As a matter of fact, I myself was struck from behind by a large truck and had to be extricated from the vehicle. I was later told by attending physicians that the efforts of the Wyalusing Valley Volunteer Fire Department were largely responsible for limiting my injuries. I hope they know I’m grateful that they were there and admire them for all the time they spend learning their techniques.

About speed limits: do motorists really understand what a speed limit is? Try this for a definition. A speed limit is the safest maximum speed one can operate a vehicle, in daylight, under ideal conditions, when no other vehicles are in sight.

It is my serious belief that day and night-time speed should be established and that road conditions should play a part in one’s decision. For instance, wet roadways should cause a motorist to use extra caution and courtesy (Get rid of that “get out of my way” attitude). A charge of unreasonable speed should be added to the vehicle code and could be easily articulated by police officers. Example: following too closely, too fast for conditions (wet roadways).

In any event, speed limits should be established by engineers who design them and policemen who have no patrol of them.